America In Bloom (AIB) is an independent,
non-profit 501(c)(3) organization which promotes, recognizes, and celebrates community enhancement programs across the US. America in Bloom sponsors an annual nationwide competition between participating communities and provides related educational programs.
Description of the organization
The US organization was founded in 2002 and modeled after long-standing programs in Europe: Ireland (
Tidy Towns) Britain (
Britain in Bloom and Regions
In geography, regions, otherwise referred to as zones, lands or territories, are areas that are broadly divided by physical characteristics (physical geography), human impact characteristics (human geography), and the interaction of humanity and t ...
) Scotland
Beautiful Scotland, Italy (Comune Fiorito), and originally France (Villes et Villages Fleuris), as well as Australia (
Australia Tidy Town Awards) and Canada (
Communities in Bloom
Communities in Bloom is a Canadian non-profit organization
An organization or organisation (Commonwealth English; see spelling differences), is an entity—such as a company, an institution, or an association—comprising one or more peop ...
, sponsors an international level competition). The US organization has grown to embrace more than 235 participating cities in 40 states.
America in Bloom is a grass-roots urban renewal program which provides a framework and is a catalyst for community organizations to work together for visible improvements. It offers one-on-one mentoring to participating communities and provides an extensive written evaluation detailing recommended improvements and enhancements. Its website provides educational materials related to the benefits of quality landscapes and more.
Communities receive top overall awards, based on their size. Within the entire body of participants, outstanding communities are also cited for their achievements in the areas of floral displays, landscaped areas, urban forestry, environmental awareness, heritage preservation, overall impression, and community vitality.
Additional special awards vary each year and relate to a specific noteworthy community feature. Examples of these include: Most Attractive Naturalistic Landscape, Most Dynamic Transformation of a Downtown Streetscape, Most Beautiful Canopy of Trees, Public Art that Celebrates the Heritage of the Community, Best Program for Engaging Youth in their Community, Best Container Display, or Most Innovative Environmental Initiative Involving Water Conservation(special awards vary each year). For special awards entrants compete against all participating communities regardless of size.
The AIB program is designed to bring people from every demographic together to create meaningful, visible, constructive projects, by combining efforts of residents, businesses, and local government. These groups work on common goals in areas including: floral displays, landscaped areas, urban forestry, environmental awareness, heritage preservation, overall impression and community vitality.
Eligible program entrants include towns, communities, cities, neighborhoods of large cities, business districts, military bases, and college campuses.
America in Bloom population category award winners (population ranges vary each year)
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Combined Locks, WI - less than 3,500 inhabitants
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Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg is a city in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 3,930 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Greenbrier County.
Geography
Lewisburg is located approximately one mile north of the Greenbrier River. ...
- 3,500 to 6,000
*
Morro Bay, CA - 6,000 to 12,500
*
Holliston, MA - 12,500 to 16,000
*
Fairhope, AL - 16,000 to 20,000
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Venice, FL - 20,000 to 30,000
*
Saratoga, CA - 30,000 to 40,000
*
Lexington, KY
Lexington is a city in Kentucky, United States that is the county seat of Fayette County. By population, it is the second-largest city in Kentucky and 57th-largest city in the United States. By land area, it is the country's 28th-larges ...
- more than 40,000
America in Bloom outstanding achievement award winners
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Edmonston, MD - environmental efforts
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Estes Park, CO - landscaped areas
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Fairhope, AL - urban forestry
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Holland, MI - floral displays
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Ottawa, IL - community involvement
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Santa Paula, CA
Santa Paula (Spanish for " St. Paula") is a city in Ventura County, California, United States. Situated amid the orchards of the Santa Clara River Valley, the city advertises itself to tourists as the "Citrus Capital of the World". Santa Pau ...
- heritage preservation
*
Winter Park, FL
Winter Park is a city in Orange County, Florida, United States. The population was 30,183 according to the 2022 census population estimate. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Winter Park was f ...
- overall impression
Some previous winners (with reference to their AIB awards)
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Fayetteville, AR
Fayetteville () is the second-largest city in Arkansas, the county seat of Washington County, and the biggest city in Northwest Arkansas. The city is on the outskirts of the Boston Mountains, deep within the Ozarks. Known as Washington until ...
*
Columbus, IN
Columbus is a city in and the county seat of Bartholomew County, Indiana, United States. The population was 50,474 at the 2020 census. The relatively small city has provided a unique place for noted Modern architecture and public art, commissio ...
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Loveland, OH
Loveland is a city in Hamilton, Clermont, and Warren counties in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Ohio. Considered part of the Greater Cincinnati area, Loveland is located near exit 52 off Interstate 275, about northeast of the Cin ...
*
Lewes, DE
Participating AIB Communities (past and present)
* Gallipolis, O
Gallipolis in Bloom , Facebook* Morro Bay, C
Morro Bay in Bloom* Tarboro, N
Tarboro In Bloom,Inc. - Home , Facebook* Venice, F
Venice Area Beautification* Brewton, A
Brewton in Bloom - Home , Facebook* Estes, C
Estes Park in Bloom , Town of Estes Park* Rehoboth in Bloo
Rehoboth in Bloom - Home , Facebook
References
External links
America in Bloom Official Web site
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* {{Cite news, title=America in Bloom keeps growing, work=Lompoc Record.com, location=Lompoc, California, accessdate=2012-03-03, date=2008-03-25, url=https://lompocrecord.com/business/article_42b0c8a2-3166-50b6-80ff-8df2e4967d4e.html
Horticultural competitions
Charities based in Ohio
Community gardening in the United States
2002 establishments in the United States
Urban forestry organizations